Running and nature enthusiasts alike will race for the finish line during Kingsbury Country Day School’s annual OktoberFAST 5K Trail Run and Walk. The race, entering its eighth year, will take place on  Saturday, Oct.6.

The race will take runners and walkers through the school’s well-known wooded property, where Kingsbury students get unique experiences  relating to their classes. The money raised from the 5K will go toward making improvements to the trails so students can experience them more throughout the school day.

“This year, all the proceeds are going  to be going to our trails,” said Candace LaGest, the event’s organizer. “Kingsbury  School  is (located) on over 100 acres, and we’re going to be marking the trails with facts for the children to  read about what they’re seeing and  those will be permanent posts. On the posts, we’re also going to have books, so we can turn it into a literature and storybook trail.”

The school also plans to equip the beginning of the trail with maps and information for students, staff, parents and visitors.

To keep things fun for community and school members who have supported the race over the years, runners who can beat the school’s principal, David Poirier, and a few of the teachers will get the chance to pie the Kingsbury leaders in the face.

“Anyone who can beat our principal is going to get the pleasure of being able to throw a pie in his face, and we’re pretty excited about that,” LaGest said. “We’ve got some other teachers who I think are going to be stepping up and volunteering  to  have pies thrown in their  faces if any students can beat them. That’s going to be fun.”

For new comers and returners alike, LaGest said experiencing a trail run is a special way to run a race as opposed to just racing through city streets. Kingsbury staff and volunteers spend the days  leading  up to the race clearing and cleaning the trails so runners can experience their full beauty.

“It’s pretty unique that (racers) get to go through the woods and  throughout our entire campus,” LaGest said. “We use the entire campus for this race.”

Those interested in the race can sign up at runsignup.com. The sign up fee is $27, which will stay the same until Oct. 5. Runners who sign up on the day of the race will pay $30 and children can participate in a kids’ run free of charge. Gift cards will be awarded to the top three finishers.

“People should come out to enjoy  nature,” LaGest. “It’s a good family event with lots of  fun for kids. It’s not just for runners, there’s kids activities too.”